Prologue: The Cracks Beneath the Surface The neighborhood was picture-perfect. Manicured lawns, white picket fences, and the hum of laughter drifting through open windows. But behind every closed door, secrets simmered. And in the heart of it all stood Paul, the rugby star with a smile that could light up a room and a wedding ring that gleamed under the sun. His wife, Sarah, was the epitome of grace-a woman who had stood by him through every tackle, every victory, and every defeat. Their love story was the stuff of legends, or so everyone believed. Next door lived Lisa, Sarah's best friend since childhood. Lisa, with her sharp wit and even sharper instincts, had always been the confidant Sarah turned to in times of need. But Lisa harbored a secret of her own-one that would shatter the fragile veneer of perfection. It started with a glance. A lingering touch. A moment when Paul's eyes met Lisa's across the backyard fence, and the air crackled with unspoken desire. What began as innocent flirtation spiraled into something darker, something forbidden. Late-night texts. Stolen kisses. Lies woven into the fabric of their lives. Sarah, oblivious to the betrayal, continued to trust the two people closest to her. But as the cracks in their charade began to widen, the question loomed: How long could Paul and Lisa keep their affair hidden? And when the truth finally came to light, would it destroy everything-or set them free? This is a story of passion, deception, and the consequences of crossing lines that were never meant to be crossed. Welcome to a world where love and lust collide, and no one is who they seem.

MONTANA He was the love of my life-until he left me standing in the wreckage of our marriage. Five years later, Jared Manelis is a world champion boxer, and the father of my daughters. The man he is today is galaxies away from the boy with blood on his knuckles who once promised me forever. Now a stranger, with the world at his fingertips and a talent for irritating me to no end. But when he's left fighting for his life after a championship match, everything changes. Suddenly, the man who broke me is back inside the walls I built to keep him out. Now he's asking questions we've both avoided for years; while our present battles to keep us apart, our past fights to be brought to the light and bind us together again. JARED Five years ago, fame, pride, and one stupid choice cost me my marriage-and the family I'd always dreamed of. Now I'm with a woman I don't love, have an ex who smiles at everyone but me, and a daughter too nervous to meet my eyes. Then I'm shot after the biggest night of my career-and all I can see is her. When death caresses your cheek, you know it's time to fight for what you want. So I force my way back into her world, where she can't ignore me anymore, and begin my fight for the truth, a chance to be us again. I'll remind her why she chose me all those years ago and show her why I'm worth choosing again.

At 40 and with three kids, the last thing I needed was my husband suddenly working every day with a gorgeous, talented, much younger French prima ballerina. But life didn't care. Late nights. Missed dinners. A shift in his voice when he said her name. And just like that, the marriage I thought was unshakable began to crack. Now I'm forced to face the truth: Every pas de deux has a breaking point. And ours... might be reaching its final step. ‧₊˚♪𝄞₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚♪𝄞₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚♪𝄞₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚♪𝄞₊˚⊹ 🩰 A marriage cracking after 16 years 🩰 Emotional cheating 🩰 Mild OW drama 🩰 Holiday angst 🩰 Mischief, fluff & cute moments 🩰 Maybe not enough grovel... and small doses of pettiness 🎄 Yes, there's an HEA. It is Christmas, after all... ✨